Sesame Seeds:
Grams to Cups
By Stefan Ulrich · Last updated
Sesame seeds weigh 144 grams per cup — both white (hulled) and black (unhulled) varieties are approximately the same density. Tahini, the paste made from ground sesame seeds, weighs significantly more at 240 g/cup due to its dense, oily consistency.
How much Sesame Seeds weighs at each cup measure.
Convert Sesame Seeds
1 cup = 144 grams
= — grams
= — cups
Quick reference
Measurement Table
| Cups | Grams | Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tsp | 3 g | 0.11 oz |
| 1 tbsp | 9 g | 0.32 oz |
| ⅛ cup | 18 g | 0.63 oz |
| ¼ cup | 36 g | 1.27 oz |
| ⅓ cup | 48 g | 1.69 oz |
| ½ cup | 72 g | 2.54 oz |
| ⅔ cup | 96 g | 3.39 oz |
| ¾ cup | 108 g | 3.81 oz |
| 1 cup | 144 g | 5.08 oz |
| 1¼ cups | 180 g | 6.35 oz |
| 1½ cups | 216 g | 7.62 oz |
| 2 cups | 288 g | 10.16 oz |
| 3 cups | 432 g | 15.24 oz |
About Sesame Seeds
White sesame seeds are hulled, giving them a milder flavor and lighter color. Black sesame seeds retain their hull, contributing a stronger, more bitter flavor and striking visual contrast. In baking, white sesame is more common; black sesame is popular in Asian desserts, ice cream, and decorative applications.
Toasted sesame seeds weigh the same as raw but have a dramatically different flavor — toasting unlocks the deep, nutty aroma that makes sesame distinctive. Toast in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring constantly. Sesame seeds burn very quickly and go from golden to bitter in seconds.
Tahini (sesame paste) at 240 g/cup is used in Middle Eastern baking (halva, tahini cookies, tahini brownies) and as a fat component in vegan and allergy-friendly recipes. It can substitute for peanut butter at approximately the same weight, though the flavor is very different — more bitter and mineral-rich.
Sesame flour (defatted, ground sesame) weighs about 95 g/cup and is used in gluten-free and keto baking as a high-protein flour alternative.
Tips for measuring Sesame Seeds
- White and black sesame: ~144 g/cup. Tahini: ~240 g/cup.
- Toast in dry skillet 3–4 min over medium heat — watch constantly, they burn fast.
- Tahini substitutes for peanut butter at the same weight in most recipes.
- Store in an airtight container — absorb moisture and odors easily.
Common mistakes
- Not toasting before baking — raw sesame seeds have minimal flavor
- Over-toasting — 10 seconds too long turns them bitter
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many grams in a cup of Sesame Seeds?
- 1 cup of Sesame Seeds weighs 144 grams — the standard used in most American recipes. Use the converter above for any other amount.
- How many grams is 1 tablespoon of Sesame Seeds?
- 1 tablespoon of Sesame Seeds weighs about 9 grams. The full table above lists every common cup fraction.
- What's the most common mistake when measuring Sesame Seeds?
- Not toasting before baking — raw sesame seeds have minimal flavor. Weighing on a kitchen scale avoids it entirely.
- Does Sesame Seeds need to be levelled in the cup?
- Yes — spoon sesame Seeds in and sweep a straight edge across the top. Scooping or tapping compacts it and changes the weight.